Very few people are affected by this entirely. Many people have one or 2 old TV’s that might not work anymore, but guess what? That would be the case if the TV’s just decided to break, which old TV’s do anyway, and the cost of repair or a new television is no worse than what these converters cost anyway. Saying this is something the government must do is like saying they must subsidise the repair/replacement of your TV if it just straight breaks and quits working.
I agree that this whole gubmint giveaway thing is stupid. However, it’s not just “old” TVs that will be affected. I bought my TV in 2003 and it isn’t digital. I will have to get a box in the next year to continue to get my three channels and snow. Or maybe I just won’t bother...